FORMER Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has challenged his successor, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, to create new programmes that are geared at tackling crime here.

As opening speaker on Friday during the conclusion of the 2017 budget debate, Rohee told the House that the “budget lacks imagination,” even as he chided the APNU+AFC coalition Administration for failing to develop new programmes that would see an enhanced security sector.

Rohee told the House that the Integrated Crime Information System, the expansion of the Mazaruni Prison, and many other aspects budgeted for under the subject ministry were all started under the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) Administration.

“What appears, Mr. Speaker, is old oil in new bottles, in keeping with the much-touted fresh approach,” said Rohee, who noted that Government has failed to budget for the purchase of an aircraft for the police to patrol the country’s porous borders, as well as money for the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) to monitor the vast borders.

“Mr Speaker, it does not matter how many billions you pump into the security sector; what matters is how many lives are being saved, and that people’s safety (is) being protected day and night,” the Opposition MP stated, as he reminded the House of the number of criminal activities that have taken place over the past few weeks.

“The question, Mr. Speaker, is (this): Is the Guyana Police Force capable of delivering? Can the Force deliver, given how it is currently structured and oriented?” he asked.

Rohee said there is too much indiscipline within the Guyana Police Force, and he believes that officers are not being disciplined. How can the Force deliver when infighting and backstabbing are taking place at the highest level of the organization, he asked. What example are they setting? How can they guarantee order in society?

“Mr. Speaker, we have heard that the money allocated in 2016 would go to good use, and that significant progress had been made in the area of public security… The security sector is no better off!” Declared Rohee,
who called on Minister Ramjattan to state whether he is losing the war on crime. “Are we getting value for money?” he asked.

Additionally, cautioning that there is a need to strike the right balance between strong law enforcement and the human rights of citizens, Rohee called on Government to reconsider its plan to revoke firearm licences from some holders.

INTER-PERSONAL VIOLENCE
Rohee noted that many inter-agency bodies have been established, namely on social cohesion, education and natural resources; but, he said, there is none to address inter-personal violence.

Turning his attention to the ‘green economy’, Rohee opined that the green pathway about which the coalition Administration speaks will remain elusive “if the people who produce do not feel safe and secure, and (continue to) see crime as a threat to life, limb and property.”

“Guyana is up to its ears in crime,” he declared. “Criminals are becoming bolder and braver with every passing day, (and) criminals seem to have better intelligence than law enforcement,” he said as he noted that criminals are making the lives of citizens miserable.

Rohee, the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC), was Minister of Home Affairs in the PPP Administration. Under his watch, there were three massacres: at Lusignan, Bartica and Lindo Creek, as well as a number of prison breakouts; and generally, a troubled security climate prevailed during his tenure as political head of the Police Force.

CONSTANT REVIEW
In his budget presentation, Finance Minister Winston Jordan said Government would “continue to keep our crime prevention and reduction strategy under constant review”.

He noted that a menu of measures would be implemented to prevent and respond efficiently to crimes against persons and property. As such, he said, Government proposes to recruit 20 per cent more police officers; equip the GPF with vehicles; expand patrols in critical areas with the aim of deterring crime; re-establish the 911 service, to restore public confidence; strengthen the Integrated Crime Information System to ensure the sharing of information; strengthen the Office of Professional Responsibility to deal with rogue cops; and expand surveillance through closed circuit television cameras at both airports.

He also announced that, for the first time ever, a Port Georgetown fireboat will be added to the fleet of fire vehicles at a cost of $250M; and that $29.1B have been budgeted for the security sector.